What are the road and traffic safety issues at this intersection?
Accidents, people not crossing the road safely, drivers disobeying road rules and poor sight lines around the bend that increase the risk of accidents happening.
Between 2000 and 2016, 9 crashes occurred at this intersection and 3 people were injured. The vehicles involved were travelling at 50 – 60 kilometres/hour. More crashes happened on a weekend.
On one Saturday in June this year, a video traffic survey showed 480 people and 83 cyclists crossing the road at this intersection, even though it’s not safe and it’s not easy to see what’s coming around the bend. The sight lines are limited by the road alignment and building located on the corner.
There are community reports and video traffic surveys that show drivers disobeying road rules and signs. Motorists have been observed turning right on to Bourke Street from Cliff Road, disobeying the no right turn restriction.
How many people and vehicles use this intersection?
On one Saturday in June this year, the video traffic survey showed 1,106 pedestrians and nearly 300 people riding bikes making their way around 5,062 light and heavy vehicles at this intersection.
Video traffic surveys completed in June and August this year show that on an average weekday, around 4,500 vehicles travel along this road, including 160 Gong Shuttles – that’s an average of 375 cars every hour! Peak time is 7.45am – 8.45am on weekdays and 2pm – 3pm on weekends. Vehicle numbers increase by 30% on weekends.
Even more people use this area during public holiday periods. These numbers will increase every year as Wollongong’s population grows.
We’d like to hear about the issues you’ve seen or experienced at this intersection. This feedback will help us to develop options/concept designs for a permanent traffic management solution to for this intersection.
Community feedback will be used to develop options/concept designs for traffic management options. These options will be considered and the preferred option will then go out to the community for further comment.